Day: July 1, 2024

A featured image for an article about Depiro's new coach Sasha Dimitrijevic

Sasha Dimitrijevic named new Depiro coach

In a move to revitalise their coaching staff following the departure of Baldacchino brothers Ruben and Adrian, who led the men’s and women’s teams respectively, Depiro Sports Club has announced the appointment of former Athleta mentor Sasha Dimitrijevic as the new coach for their Senior Men’s team, as well as Head Coach of their Basketball Nursery.

This move sees Depiro revert to a foreign coach after Welshman James Bamfield and American Brian Semonian were replaced by Baldacchino, who took the team to the playoffs last season as the fourth-seed.

In a club statement, Dimitrijevic expressed his gratitude and excitement about the new role.

“I’d like to thank the board of Depiro Sports Club for this incredible opportunity. We share a unified vision and goal: to develop our local young players and give them the chance to compete at the highest level. Serious work lies ahead, but we’re ready for the challenge and excited to build something great together,” Dimitrijevic said.

John Vella, the newly appointed President of Depiro Sports Club, also shared his enthusiasm about Dimitrijevic’s appointment.

“The newly elected Depiro Sports Club committee has as the centre of its role the advancement of sport, education, and the community involvement of youth and society. To this latter end, we are pleased to announce the engagement of Coach Sasha Dimitrijevic.

“Sasha has always prioritised youth and put the development of a sound and comprehensive youth development framework at the core of his philosophy. This aligns directly with the club’s aims, and thus we are convinced that together the wellbeing and future of our basketball section can move forward to improve our teams and Maltese basketball in general. Welcome, Sasha!” Vella expressed.

Dimitrijevic’s appointment is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the team. Known for his emphasis on youth development, Dimitrijevic has built a reputation for fostering young talent and preparing them for high-level competition and the club stressed that his philosophy aligns perfectly with Depiro’s mission to not only achieve success on the court but also to contribute positively to the community and the sport’s future in Malta.

Deguara wins MVP award at FIBA European Small Countries Championships

In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Samuel Deguara was named the Most Valuable Player at the FIBA European Small Countries Championship held in Andorra. The Malta centre was instrumental in his team’s impressive run to the final, despite narrowly missing out on the championship with an 84-79 defeat to Andorra on the final day.

Deguara, who plays professionally for the Taiwan Mustangs, missed Malta’s opening game against Gibraltar but made an immediate impact upon his return. His presence on the court proved vital as Malta secured their place in the final, finishing as runners-up in the tournament.

Samuel Degara stats from this year’s FIBA European Small Countries Championships.

Throughout the championship, Deguara’s performance was nothing short of exceptional. He led the tournament in scoring, averaging 22 points per game in just 19.1 minutes of play. His efficiency was remarkable, shooting 80% from the field and 75% from the free-throw line.

In addition to his scoring prowess, Deguara dominated the boards, leading the tournament with an average of 13.3 rebounds per game. He also contributed defensively with 0.3 blocks and 0.3 steals per game, alongside 1 assist per game. His all-around performance included three double-doubles against San Marino, Andorra, and Gibraltar in the semifinal.

Malta’s success in the tournament was undoubtedly driven by Deguara’s leadership and skill. His ability to control the game both offensively and defensively made him an invaluable asset to his team.

The tournament’s conclusion may have seen Malta fall short of the championship, but Deguara’s achievements have certainly left a lasting impression. His MVP award is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and outstanding performance throughout the competition.

As Malta’s most experienced centre, Deguara’s success at the FIBA European Small Countries Championship highlights his significant contributions to Maltese basketball and his potential for future international success.

Melgoza named FIBA European Small Countries Women’s Championship MVP

Malta’s star guard Amber Melgoza was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) on Sunday at the FIBA European Small Countries Women’s Championships in Kosovo. This accolade comes after an exceptional display of skill and determination throughout the tournament, underscoring her pivotal role in Malta’s impressive journey to the final.

Amber Melgoza’s stats at the 2024 FIBA European Small Countries Championships.

Melgoza’s outstanding performance was highlighted by her remarkable statistics. She averaged an impressive 39.3 minutes of play per game, demonstrating her endurance and commitment on the court. Her scoring prowess was evident as she averaged 19.6 points per game, boasting a 55% field goal percentage, 66.7% from the free-throw line, and 20% from three-point range.

In addition to her scoring, Melgoza was a force in rebounding, averaging 10.8 rebounds per game. Her defensive skills were on full display with an average of 3.2 steals per game. Furthermore, she showcased her playmaking abilities by averaging 3.8 assists per game. Except for the opening fixture against Kosovo, she finished with a double-double in every match, underscoring her all-around capabilities.

Despite Malta’s narrow 61-54 defeat to Norway in the final, Melgoza’s contributions were crucial to her team’s success. This was Malta’s only loss in the entire tournament, a testament to their strong performance throughout.

Melgoza’s impact on the Malta national team has been profound. This tournament marked her second appearance for Malta, having made her debut last year in the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE 2023) held in Malta. Her experience with Cadi La Seu has evidently translated into significant contributions on the international stage.